Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made in the commitment to abolish the position of county manager. [37549/11]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 15 of 20 October 2011, the further progress which has been made in bringing to Government more comprehensive policy proposals regarding structural reform of local government at regional, county and sub-county levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37762/11]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 15 of 20 October 2011, if he has received the first report of the local government efficiency implementation group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37761/11]

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when Dáil Éireann may expect to see local government reform proposals including the devolving of control of transport, traffic, economic development, education, responses to crime and local health care needs to local communities. [37873/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 44, 42 and 122 together.

I am adopting a progressive approach to local government structural reform. Decisions have already been taken to merge the authorities in Limerick and Tipperary and a Local Government Committee has been established to consider whether Waterford City and County Councils should be unified. I intend to bring wider policy proposals to Government in the New Year which will build on these decisions, with particular attention being given to local government structures generally at regional, county and sub-county levels. Initial proposals will also be submitted, having regard to the Programme for Government, in relation to further aspects of the local government system including the potential for involvement of a revitalised local government system in a wider range of functions, and issues such as local authority powers, governance, community engagement and local political and executive leadership.

The future designation and role of county managers will be among the matters for consideration in the development of further policy proposals. Separately, but related to the reform programme in this area, the Government decided on 25 November 2011 that provisions in respect of new TLAC appointees would also apply to City and County Managers and I am undertaking a comprehensive examination of the legal and practical aspects of this matter.

In relation to the efficiency agenda, the work of the independent Local government efficiency implementation group is progressing. The group has met on five occasions to date and I expect to receive its first report shortly.